Growing Up

Well, it was an evening of 'grown-up' activities for the kids. Ellie got invited to her first-ever sleepover. (She's slept over at family members' houses before, but this is the first "real" sleepover party.) She got invited to her friend Emma's house last night for a girlie sleepover. To say she was excited is an understatement - several times she reminded me of all the important things she needed to pack, and when I went upstairs to start getting her ready to go, she was sitting calmly on the couch with her backpack on and clutching her sleeping bag, pillow pet, and American Girl doll, all ready to go. She didn't seem nervous at all when we dropped her off at Emma's house, although I did call her once during the evening just to let her know we were thinking about her.

Meanwhile, Jack and I decided to do a "Mom-Jack Playdate." He chose the activities (dinner and a movie - "Saving Mister Banks"), and was quite the gentleman the whole evening. He opened doors for me, was a great conversationalist (although I've probably heard enough Walt Disney trivia at this point), and didn't even try to steal my M&Ms during the movie (unlike my typical movie companion, ahem). And neither kid uttered a single pee or poop joke the whole evening - now THAT'S grownup!



There's my handsome date. And a wonderful date he was - although I will admit he's the only date who has done the kids' maze while we were waiting for our food

All ready for her sleepover!

Emma's mom snapped this picture of the BFFs partying at the sleepover

A random photo I found on my phone - don't worry, this was Christmastime - we don't dress like that year-round.

Did I mention how grownup my kids are?

Ahhhhh.... - although yes, creepy that I'm taking pictures of my kids in the middle of the night - point taken

Merry Christmas

This wasn't the ideal situation for Christmas, with Jared being out of town, but thanks to some planning and technology, we all (kinda) got to spend the holiday together. Jared gave the kids their 'big' presents before he left, so he had the chance to see them open some presents and they had some cool presents to play with as we led up to Christmas. Then he insisted that we FaceTime him the minute the kids woke up, so he could see them open the rest of their presents. I took him on his word, and he got a FaceTime wake-up call at 5am his time. He was a bit groggy, but managed to form some sentences here and there as the kids tore through their Christmas presents. And throughout the day, the kids would FaceTime him to show him whatever toy they were playing with. I'm not sure that his co-workers fully appreciated the frequent calls to see the latest Lego achievement, but Jared dutifully oohed and aahed over each new bit of news, and the kids loved having their dad with them on Christmas, even if it was just through the iPad.



All throughout Christmas Eve, we tracked Santa's progress through NORAD's online tracker. I have to admit, it was pretty darn cool, and we got a few geography lessons out of it ("where the heck is Guyana?")

The added bonus of the Santa tracker was that the kids could clearly see Santa getting closer and closer to him - leading to zero bedtime issues

I made the kids wait while I brushed my teeth before going downstairs (lesson learned - make THEM brush their teeth, so Mom doesn't have to put up with the Breath of Death every time they show me a new present) - first order of business - stockings - Ellie's favorite stocking find was a new pair of earrings; Jack loved his marbles and fake mustaches (the kid has a thing for fake mustaches - don't ask me why)

Then it was time to tear through the presents under the tree; Hurricane Ellie tore threw them so quickly I barely had a chance to snap a few photos; more methodical Jack took his time

Jack loved the magic set he got from Santa

And Ellie can finally stop stealing her brother's walkie talkies, since she has her own now

I wonder if Santa realized how may teeny tiny pieces are in that Hobbit Lego set; I bet he would regret that if he had to step on those teeny tiny pieces every day

And let's not forget Ellie's new American Girl doll - I had to give her American Girl dolls and her Barbie dolls meals throughout Christmas Day - if feeding my own kids wasn't already enough

And yeah, not so much loving the remote-controlled tarantula

One of the kids' favorite gifts was the Headbanz game - we played that several times

After a day of board games and Lego building and puzzle assembling and craft making .... I pretty much wished I could curl right up with Otis. Luckily our neighbors invited us over for an Italian dinner, so I didn't have to use up any more of my precious little brain power to make a meal; and thankfully after our long Christmas Day, the kids were more than ready to hit the sack - all in all, a great Christmas for the whole family (even if one of those family members was just virtual)

Christmas Bleepin' Pajamas

Hey guys, let me take a picture of your new Christmas jammies! Yay, Christmas Eve!

OK, Ellie, up off the floor so I can take a picture. No, Ellie, no piggyback rides, just stand next to Jack and take a stinkin' picture.

NO FIGHTING! Ellie, get off your brother! Jack, get off your sister NOW!!!! *%*#%, I just want one #*%&% picture! Is that too much to ask from your mother on Jesus's birthday!!! Just stand %*#&% still so I can take a *%*#%& Christmas @#**#% jammies picture!

Ellie, please smile and pretend you're happy on Christmas %#*%& Eve!

Now, what's with the crazy eyes? Please just SMILE!!!

Close enough.

Christmas Part 2

Today was the annual Christmas party down at my folks' place. We had BEAUTIFUL weather - like, not-even-a-jacket kind of weather, and a great turnout from the family. The food was wonderful (mmmm, roast beast), the kids behaved themselves (a Christmas miracle), and I got to relax and hang with the family. I call that a success! Now on to Christmas Part 3, or, the REAL Christmas!


Although a white Christmas is always nice, can't beat weather (almost) nice enough to swim in!

Not to mention long walks with the horses, I mean dogs

I might have had a few extra servings of roast beast, but who's counting

And it wouldn't be a Candland Christmas without a few inappropriate discussions

After dessert (or five), it was time for Christmas songs

And the traditional lighting of the bayberry candle

Then the Big Man made an appearance

Jack was crazy-excited to see him

And even Ellie was speechless - well, for a little bit at least

Christmas Part 1

Jared's going to be out of town for the holidays, but we wanted him to have some holiday fun with the kiddies. So last night, he got to open up his presents, and then he surprised the kids with their two 'biggie' presents - a foosball table for Jack and a Barbie dollhouse for Ellie. His holiday fun also included ASSEMBLING the aforementioned foosball table and dollhouse. Which, um, wasn't so fun. But hey, it's part of the holiday experience, right?



Jared liked the jammies that the kids got for him

No, that shirt's not from the kids

Then it was time for Jared to show the kids their presents from him. Needless to say, the kids were thrilled with their loot. Ellie kept asking me if it'd be considered bragging for her to go to school today and, well, brag about her dollhouse. So really, she kinda answered her own question, didn't she.

Jared hadn't had time to assemble the dollhouse last night before Ellie's bedtime, so it'll be ready for her Barbies' living enjoyment after school today

Dad and Jack, putting on the finishing touches

Of course we had to test out the foosball table before bedtime. It was Team Crazy Monkey (Mom and Jack) vs. Team Ugly (Dad and Ellie - that's a self-chosen name, by the way, so blame Ellie for that). Do I really need to tell you who won? Because really, that would just sound like bragging.

Three-and-a-half hours of dollhouse-building holiday fun

Welcome home, Barbie!

Good Luck?

It's kind of a tradition that around Christmastime each year, we go downtown and see a Wizards game - we make an evening of it and grab some dinner, see the game, and then spend the night in a hotel. And a funny thing has happened - each of the two times before that we've gone, the Wizards have won. Doesn't sound all that unusual, except, well, the Wizards don't usually win. So we fully expected to continue our streak this time around. But aye, there's the rub - because we had an unexpected kid issue, and had to leave the game at half-time. And whatcha know - they lost the game. So, my sincere apologies to the Washington Wizards to take away your good-luck charms. And good luck next time-


Yeah, I never even managed to get a hold of that popcorn, which was in Ellie's vice-like grip the whole game

Our spot up in the nose-bleeds

Dramatic Much?

Jack: "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Mom: (running into the kitchen) "What's wrong?"
Jack: "Look!!!"
(Points to his sleeve, where he's gotten pencil smudges from where his sleeve was resting on his paper)
Mom: "Jack, that's just pencil, that's ok, it'll come out in the wash - no big deal"
Jack: "That's easy for you to say! You're not a lefty! You don't know what life is like for a lefty!"
Mom: "Huh? It's pencil, Jack, pencil - no one died"
Jack: "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! This memory will haunt me forever!"


Ellie: "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Mom: (running into kitchen) "What's wrong?"
Ellie: "My origami box doesn't look right! FIX IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Mom: "Sweetie, that looks fine, and even if it didn't, it's just origami"
Ellie: "You know NOTHING! This is ORIGAMI!! It's all wrong!!!!"
Mom: "So, throw it away and start over - not a big deal, Ellie, no one died" (yes, I use that one a lot)
Ellie: "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Fix it or I'll scream!"
Mom: "Uh, you're ALREADY screaming, so, no thank you"
Ellie: "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! This is the worst day ever!"


Lesson learned? Don't run into the kitchen when they scream. No good can come of it.

They're going baaaaaaackkkkk!

They're heading back to school today! Two-hour delay, but still, they're going back to school today! No more of the snow day hokey pokey!

1. Get on shirt and pants.
2. Argue with daughter who thinks shirt isn't cute enough - give up and change shirts.
3. Put on socks. Put on boots.
4. Realize that you forgot to put on snowpants. Try and wrestle snowpants over boots. Give up.
5. Take off boots.
6. Put snowpants on.
7. Put boots back on.
8. Put hat on.
9. Take hat off, because it's not cute enough and daughter wants purple hat. Silently curse daughter to have a daughter just like her.
10. Put purple hat on.
11. Put gloves on.
12. Give up in frustration after trying to get gloves onto each bleepin' finger.
13. Throw gloves on floor. Curse inventor of gloves.
14. Put mittens on.
15. Go outside and play.
16. Rinse and repeat about a dozen times today.

Have fun at school, kiddies!!

It's Day Three

And I must admit - and believe me, I couldn't have said this just a year ago - but the kids have been pretty darn good.

But we're done.

We've played in the snow. Check.
We've made snow forts. Check.
We've had snowball fights. Check.
We've made hot cocoa. Check.
We've watched holiday movies. Check.
We've made cardboard box forts. Check.
We've made cookies. Check.
We've made paper snowflakes. Check.
We've made homemade playdough. Check.
We've bribed the kids with the bouncy place and ice cream when Stir Crazy set in. Check.
We've made some more cardboard box forts. Check. Check. Check.

And now we're done.

If they cancel school one more day, I just might have to hunt someone down. Hunt. Someone. Down.